US Republicans have blocked an attempt to impeach Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, giving President Donald Trump a political victory amid growing criticism of the administration’s handling of the Iran war and other overseas military operations.
The Republican-led House of Representatives voted 211-204 on Tuesday, November 10, to send the impeachment resolution to the House Judiciary Committee, effectively stopping an immediate vote on formal charges against Hegseth. The resolution was introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky and received support from Democrats.
The vote largely followed party lines, with Massie emerging as the only Republican to oppose the move to refer the resolution to the committee. Several lawmakers were absent, including 11 Democrats, whose absence later attracted criticism from party leaders.
The development came shortly after Republicans suffered significant losses in the November midterm elections, with the prolonged conflict involving Iran and rising fuel prices becoming major political concerns for the Trump administration.
Massie’s impeachment resolution contained eight articles accusing Hegseth of serious misconduct in his role as head of the Pentagon. The allegations covered the administration’s military operations in Iran, Yemen and Venezuela, as well as US strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.
A central allegation concerned the US military campaign against Iran, which Massie argued had continued without proper congressional authorisation.
He accused Hegseth of violating the War Powers Resolution, which generally requires the withdrawal of US forces from hostilities within 60 days unless Congress authorises the military action or grants an extension.
The resolution argued that the Iran conflict had continued beyond the legally permitted period without the necessary approval from lawmakers.
Another major allegation concerned civilian casualties during US military operations. Massie questioned the Pentagon’s handling of civilian protection measures and referred to a US strike on a school in Minab, Iran, which reportedly killed more than 168 people.
The resolution also raised concerns over American military strikes against suspected drug-smuggling boats. Massie alleged that some operations involved unlawful killings, including attacks on survivors, and questioned the failure to rescue people from damaged vessels.
Other charges related to the US military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the earlier bombing campaign against Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen.
The final set of allegations included Hegseth’s attempt to take action against Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy officer, following his participation in a video urging military personnel not to follow unlawful orders.
The decision to block the impeachment effort reflected the Republican leadership’s support for Hegseth and the wider Trump administration.
President Donald Trump had publicly backed the Defence Secretary ahead of the vote. He dismissed the impeachment effort as politically motivated and praised Hegseth’s handling of military operations.
After the House vote, Trump described the outcome as an exoneration of Hegseth, calling him a patriot in a social media post.
Vice-President JD Vance also defended the Defence Secretary, saying he had not committed offences that warranted impeachment.
House Speaker Mike Johnson had earlier criticised Massie’s move, describing it as a political exercise rather than a serious attempt to establish wrongdoing.
Hegseth himself rejected the allegations during a rare Pentagon press conference on Tuesday. He described the impeachment initiative as a political stunt and maintained that the military operations conducted under his leadership were justified.
He also argued that the accusations undermined American military personnel and their work. Hegseth defended the administration’s actions in Iran, Yemen, Venezuela and against suspected drug-trafficking networks, saying he stood behind the operations.
The failed impeachment effort has also exposed divisions within the Democratic Party.
Although Democratic lawmakers broadly supported the move against Hegseth, 11 members missed Tuesday’s vote. Their absence became a point of criticism after Republicans successfully referred the resolution to the Judiciary Committee.
Democratic House leaders expressed disappointment over the missed votes, arguing that lawmakers should have been present for an important decision involving accountability at the Pentagon.
The outcome also highlighted the continuing political influence of Trump within the Republican Party. Despite disagreements among some Republican lawmakers over the Iran conflict, most members supported the procedural move that prevented an immediate impeachment vote.
Massie, who had repeatedly criticised the administration’s military policies, was the only Republican to oppose sending the resolution to the committee.
The House decision has effectively halted the current impeachment attempt, but it does not necessarily end questions surrounding Hegseth’s leadership.
Democrats are expected to take control of both the House and Senate in January following their strong performance in the midterm elections. This could give them greater authority to investigate the Pentagon and scrutinise the administration’s military decisions.
Democratic leaders have already indicated that Hegseth could face further congressional scrutiny once the new Congress begins.
However, removing a Cabinet secretary through impeachment would remain difficult. Any impeachment resolution must first pass the House before moving to a Senate trial, where conviction requires a two-thirds majority.
